Mary Oliver
The wind wags its many tails. And in the evening the piled firewood shifts a little, longing to be on its way. —Mary Oliver
November 16, 2012
11 William Street, Vineyard Haven
11 William Street in Vineyard Haven sold for $542,500 on Nov. 9.
261 Sandpiper Lane Unit 11, Vineyard Haven
261 Sandpiper Lane, Unit 11 in Vineyard Haven from E. Donald Morando and Betty E. Morando, trustees of the E. Donald Morando Revocable Trust, for $500,000 on Nov. 5.
1187 Main Street, Vineyard Haven
1187 Main Street in Vineyard Haven sold for $8,500,000 on Nov. 5.
9 Pond View Drive, Oak Bluffs
9 Pond View Drive in Oak Bluffs sold for $405,000 on Nov. 9.
20 Thaxter Lane, Edgartown
20 Thaxter Lane in Edgartown sold for $1,050,000 on Nov. 9.
Steamed Carrots with Fried Rosemary
Serves 2 12 carrots, cleaned well, with greens trimmed to 1 inch 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, picked from its stem 1 tablespoon unsalted butter fresh black pepper Bring 1 inch of water to a boil over high heat in the bottom of…
Oak Bluffs School Presents the Little Mermaid
The Oak Bluffs School is going to the sea for its annual fall musical with a production of The Little Mermaid. Showtimes are tonight, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m., all at the Oak Bluffs School.
JV Team Is The Place Where Skills Are Built
Success doesn’t materialize out of the thin air, and in the case of this year’s varsity football team, now 6-4 as they head into the Island Cup, the groundwork was laid four years ago, when the current seniors took their first starts for the junior varsity squad. “We’re building the foundation,” junior varsity head coach…
Only as Good as the Assistant Coaches
In 1991, Jason O’Donnell was on Coach Donald Herman’s first state championship football team at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.On Monday, Mr. O’Donnell is out on the field with the four other varsity assistant coaches alongside Coach Herman, helping the team prepare for the Island Cup this weekend.
Alumni of Vineyard’s Football Program Now Compete at the College Level
On Sept. 21, the Framingham State University football team shut out fellow Division III opponent Bridgewater State University 16-0. It was the lone loss of the season for Bridgewater, which went 9-1 this year, earning a place in the NCAA tournament.
Island Tallies Monetary Impact of Storms
As the northeast continues to recover from Hurricane Sandy’s historic destruction two weeks ago, federal and state disaster relief officials visited the Vineyard on Thursday to assess damages and help begin the reimbursement process for damages to town property sustained during the storm. Initial estimates to town and county owned coastlines and property Island-wide swelled…
Youth Task Force Takes Teen Pulse On Drug and Alcohol Use
Citing a community effort to counter teenage drinking, the Youth Task Force announced last week that a youth behavior survey shows a decrease in alcohol use by Island teens, though the rates are slightly higher than the national average. But they also cited concern about a rise in marijuana use, saying that the legalization of…
Vineyarders Vie for Island Cup Saturday
In 1988, head football coach Donald Herman had just started coaching at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and was unfamiliar with the Island Cup, the annual rivalry football game between the Vineyard and Nantucket. The game was scheduled to be played on Nantucket that year, so he went over to “the other island” early with…
Spared Worst at Home, Islanders Aid Hurricane-Ravaged States
From an Island-wide relief effort that began as idle conversation during happy hour to a clothing drive and donations from sandwiches, there has been an outpouring of Island-giving for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. And for Islander Ryan Murtha, who organized an impromptu relief effort, the overwhelming response was as positive as the devastation was…
Paper Route Delivers News and Beauty
At 5:30 in the morning on a recent Saturday, Yann Meersseman parked his minivan outside of the Steamship Authority building in Vineyard Haven and dropped a few tokens into the yellow Boston Herald display box. He pulled open the box and changed the front copy of the Herald, placing a short stack of newspapers inside…
Superintendent’s Budget Approved, Special Education Needs Rise
The All-Island School Committee approved an 8.8 per cent increase in the superintendent’s budget for the 2014 fiscal year. The committee voted 10-2, with Roxanne Ackerman of Aquinnah and Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter of West Tisbury opposing. In his presentation to the committee last month, superintendent James H. Weiss admitted that the budget jump was steep.…
Full Hearts Feed the Island’s Hungry
Basting a golden turkey, the smell of pumpkin pie baking and some cranberry sauce are all part of the Thanksgiving holiday for most Island families. But for others, the day can bring disappointment rather than thanks, particularly when one’s grocery list has to be supplemented by free community food resources available just a few times…
Tisbury Keeps Tax Rates Unchanged
After a tax rate classification hearing on Tuesday, Tisbury selectmen voted not to apply a tax shift to commercial properties and to continue the 20 per cent residential tax exemption of the average residential property value. Last year the average residential property value was $784,700 allowing residents to subtract $156,940 from their property values before…
Bows Down, Shotguns Up for Hunters
Vineyard archery season, now in its waning days, has brought out large numbers of hunters, who in turn have harvested at least 100 deer. Archery hunting season began on Oct. 15 and continues through Saturday, Nov. 24. The end of archery hunting season for deer will be followed by shotgun season, which runs from Nov.…
Dead Whale Washes Ashore
A 13-foot pilot whale washed up on Lucy Vincent Beach in Chilmark over the long weekend. Adam Kennedy, a senior biologist at the New England Aquarium, said the whale was likely dead when it washed ashore.Mr. Kennedy said the animal was discovered half-buried in the sand by the tides last Friday. Only its head and…
Edgartown Approves New Mooring Regulations
Edgartown selectmen approved new mooring regulations for Edgartown harbor on Monday, stipulating that boats applying for a mooring must pay state excise tax to obtain an annual mooring permit. Harbor master Charlie Blair presented the amendments to mooring regulations, which state that if excise tax is paid to another town in the commonwealth, a copy…
Land Bank Revenues: Nov. 9
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $285,556 for the business week ending on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012.
Reaching Out
Just when a nasty election campaign threatens to fracture us all into percentage points, a good northeaster blows in to remind us of what binds us together. When the second storm battered the Northeast last week, neighbors and strangers responded as they often do with acts of heroism and kindness, large and small. Though the…
Commercial Considerations
Last week the Gazette published a story about Island Entertainment moving across the street to save on rent. Other than this nod to the current difficult climate for video stores, the business looks to be in good health. This summer the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore moved across the street for similar reasons and reported an…
Living in the Fishbowl Not So Simple
My first description of Dickie Becker as a fisherman who works when it’s light and sleeps when it’s dark and that’s why he only needs one outlet, might have given you the impression that he is a simple man. Dickie Becker is not a simple man. The truth is that Dickie passes out in a…
Greenfilters Needed to Cut Nitrogen Pollution
Anyone who spends any time in, on or around our tidal ponds has witnessed the periodic algae infestations and the consequent foul odors, slimy beaches, floating gunk in murky waters and distressed ecosystems. The pollution of our ponds, even our ocean beaches, has become so bad that they have even periodically been closed for public…
Hey Guys, New Voters in Town: Women
In 2012 women were discovered and many experts stepped forward to discuss them. Electoral candidate Todd Akin was able to enlighten us all when he decided that a woman could not become pregnant if she was “legitimately” raped. There was another expert on the same topic, candidate Richard Mourdock, who also seemed to be incredibly…
Injustice Done to Four-Legged Friend
Listen I demand that you listen my words will find you because you need to hear them today a friend of mine was shot through the heart. today a friend of mine passed over much too soon My friend had four paws his fur was silver and gray with dapples of black and streaks of…
After The Election: Now What?
I voted for Mitt Romney because I thought he did a solid job as governor of Massachusetts and because his skills as a manager of complex things struck me as being sterling (to borrow a word used by Bill Clinton earlier this year when asked to describe Romney’s resume).
Peer Outreach
It is common knowledge that high school students often struggle with feeling stressed and overwhelmed; and when they do, they typically seek out friends for advice and support. On Nov. 1 and 2, 40 Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School students who were nominated by their peers, along with four faculty members, were invited to participate…
Troubled Bridge Over Water
I certainly share Heidi Schultz’s terror at the possibility of being knocked off the historic but narrow Mill Brook bridge at North Tisbury, but I mourn the loss of the nice old black-and-white wood-and-iron guardrails. Of course, dear Brutus, the fault is not in our stars, but in our cars.
Fish Frost
From the Gazette editions of November, 1934:One of the best indications of whether the Vineyard is getting along well in winter is the presence or absence in the chilly air of the sound of the carpenter’s saw and hammer. We need a business in building to maintain employment between seasons. This year the better housing…
Chappy Town Column: Nov. 16
After the northeaster last week Chappaquiddick looks like winter, with the trees bare and brown and leaves covering the ground. The winds were stronger during the northeaster than during Hurricane Sandy, and the storm lasted longer.
Edgartown Town Column: Nov. 16
It did not seem possible, but there was someone working in the nursery this week with a tank top on. Who knew that it would be 60 degrees in November? Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Julia Murray and Jameson Whitmarsh, who celebrated their day…
Oak Bluffs Town Column: Nov. 16
In 1881, it came as a shock to the residents of the brand new Cottage City that they apparently did not own the beautiful parks built by the Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company. Its execution of the construction of the world’s first wholly-built seaside resort was only exceeded by its ability to sell the…
Vineyard Haven Town Column: Nov. 16
A new star is shining over our Island. Whitney Fulp and Bruno Rodrigues have a baby boy, Lucas Rockefeller Rodrigues. You all know beautiful, tall, blond Whitney from her hard work at Stop & Shop and Cumberland Farms. Hopefully we’ll see her out and about soon with Lucas in tow.
West Tisbury Town Column: Nov. 16
We had a mild weekend for this time of year. T-shirts and shorts were seen about town over the long weekend, and the temperature reached 68 degrees this past Monday. We had our share of wind and rain last Thursday, and all boats were cancelled. We felt more of an impact from the northeaster than…
Chilmark Town Column: Nov. 16
Chilmark has taken on a definite gray color because of the sudden loss of many of the leaves due to the northeaster. There are still some pretty trees in sheltered parts of the town, but our vistas are winter-bare in many places. Work has begun on the rebuilding of the fuel dock in Menemsha harbor.…
Aquinnah Town Column: Nov. 16
So far November has been quite the month for celebrations despite the storms. Reports of another northeaster is in the air.Thank you to Allison Colarusso, Molly Purves and Lisa Bibko Vanderhoop who went above and beyond decorating the Aquinnah town hall for the Halloween celebration this year. Despite dealing with the storms, Aquinnah should be…
ACT College Test
The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative (MVYLI) is pleased to announce that the ACT College Test is being offered for the first time on Martha’s Vineyard. The test will be administered at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School on Saturday, Dec. 8., beginning at 8 a.m. The ACT Test is an alternative to the SAT…
Alpaca Farm Hosts Open House
Island Alpaca will be holding a Thanksgiving weekend open house from Nov. 22 through 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Island Alpaca is a 20-acre farm that hosts an untold number of alpacas and one llama. Visitors can wander about on their own self-guided tour through the grounds and inside the post-and-beam…
Ugly Duckling Takes the Stage
Honk is a particular sort of theatrical mash-up that combines a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Ugly Duckling with a score that leans heavily to Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. The show first premiered in London and in 2000 won an Olivier Award for Best New Musical (the British equivalent of the Tony…
Andy Estrella Graduates
Andy J. Estrella, owner of Vineyard Yoga, graduated from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy on Nov. 9 with a master’s in the practice of osteopathic manipulative science (M.OMSc). This is the latest accomplishment in Mr. Estrella’s continuing education. After graduating from Springfield College in 2000 with a bachelor’s of science degree, he completed training to…
Please Adopt Us
The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard has a few nice animals who need good homes. If you are a black cat lover, you must come soon to see our collection of black cats and kittens. The most striking of these is Burt, who should be named Star because he has a tiny white star in…
Greta Arrives
Susan Clark and Arthur Smith of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Greta Kathleen Smith, born on Nov. 13, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Greta weighed 6 pounds, 9.7 ounces at birth.
Announcing Joseph
Kate Foley and Joe Ragosta of Chilmark announce the birth of a son, Joseph Ronan Ragosta, born on Nov. 8, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Joseph weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces at birth.
Welcome Michael
Brooke Joi Leahy and Lawrence R. Leahy Jr. of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Michael Lawrence Leahy, born on Nov. 8, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Michael weighed 7 pounds, 15.8 ounces at birth.
Pancake Fundraiser
The West Tisbury School is going to England — well, with your help they are. On Sunday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the school is holding an all-you-can-eat pancake fundraiser at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. The pancakes come with a sundae bar of toppings: chocolate chips, blueberries, sprinkles, gluten-free options.
The Carrot Prepares for its Close-up
When pulling carrots out of the ground these days, I am overwhelmed by their smell. I grab as many green tops as I can and yank them out of the ground, revealing many brilliant, orange magic-marker sized carrots caked with dark brown soil. The handling of the tops gives me the first tease of freshness,…
Salumi Sensei Gives Islanders Lessons in Old World Craft
By the end of the week, stock, lard, foie gras, Italian sausage, bratwurst, breakfast sausage and rich salami would be plentiful around the premises of caterer Kitchen Porch. But on Tuesday morning, it was all bones, soft fat, lean fat and dark red pieces of lean flank meat, neatly stacked in individual piles in front…
Capturing the World With Camera Lens
Vineyard Haven photographer Louisa Gould has traveled to over 100 countries and territories and she is bringing them all home to the Vineyard. On Sunday, Nov. 18, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, she will give a presentation of her photography. Some of the countries featured include Antartica, Burma, Cambodia, Morocco,…
Double the Winners at Tennis Turkey Open
More than 40 mixed doubles players participated in the Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa’s 16th annual Turkey Open Tennis Tournament last weekend, with the winners receiving turkeys provided by Stop & Shop. Gene Erez and Cathy Lattanzi won the Pilgrim draw over Kelly Hess and Steve Mussell with steady rallies and well-timed lobs. The…
Stage Show Finds Bright Side of Betrayal
Louise DuArt is known as a comedian. Which is why her latest one-woman show, a thinly veiled version of real life events here on Martha’s Vineyard, is so remarkable. Who else could make comedy out of being the victim of a con artist? “It was SQuire’s idea,” she said, referring to her husband SQuire Rushnell.…
Poetry Reading
On Sunday, Nov. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m., the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven will host the West Tisbury Library’s semi-annual community poetry reading. This event features community members reading their own poems and/or the poems of others.
Star Library Award
The Vineyard Haven Public Library has once again been named one of 262 “star” libraries (out of 7,570 rated) in Library Journal’s annual rating of U.S. public libraries. The rating is based on four public service indicators — circulation, visits, program attendance and public Internet use — from 2010 data collected by the Institute of…
Turkey Yoga
To limber up for Thanksgiving, the Yoga Collective is offering a free yoga class from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Island Cohousing, 11 Rock Pond Road, West Tisbury. Nothing like some down dogs and a bit of pigeon pose to make the stuffing go down easier. The class is for all ages…
Buon Appetito
Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau might have been onto something when he defined happiness as “a good bank account, a good cook and a good digestion.” I guess two out of three ain’t bad! After a two-week vacation in Italy and France (and a few stormy days stuck in Falmouth to boot), I can count my blessings…
Terning the Tide
The invasion continues. The recon or advanced guard were the pine siskins and purple finches. They came from the barren North Country seeking habitat that provided food as they could find none there. Next, the main forces arrived. These species arrived in waves and included the evening grosbeaks, then the white-winged crossbills and finally the…
Rare Bird Alert
Northern lapwings, a species found in Eurasia, have been seen between Nova Scotia and North Carolina, but recently also have been spotted on Nantucket and in Plymouth. To find out more about this bird, go to massbird.org/sightings, and to see a photo visit pbase.com/rcm1840/northernlapwing. If anyone sees this bird on the Vineyard, please email birds@mvgazette.com…
Goodnight Garden
I must say the past week’s northeaster was pretty darned remarkable. There were a few gusts that made me fear for life and limb. I made the mistake of going out at one point. It’s astonishing that my car door is still attached. Sadly, my vegetable garden experienced its first frost of the season right…
Mars Loses Luster
Tonight, look for a thin crescent moon in the southwestern sky soon after sunset. The moon is above the red planet Mars.Remember last spring, when Mars was a brilliant red ruby in the sky? It has since lost its luster and is barely noticeable. But with the crescent moon an observer gets some help finding…
